Jonathan Rodriguez scored a 90th-minute winner as Uruguay beat Costa Rica 2-1 in their international friendly on Friday.

Celso Borges thought he had earned a draw for Costa Rica in the 48th minute after cancelling out Giorgian De Arrascaeta's first-half penalty in San Jose.

However, Rodriguez came off the bench and netted a last-gasp winner for visiting Uruguay – who were playing in the absence of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani – at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica.

There was a new face in the dugout for Costa Rica following Gustavo Matosas' shock resignation due to boredom.

After less than a year in the job, Argentine-born Uruguayan Matosas told a news conference on Wednesday: "I didn't know being a national team manager was so boring. I don't regret it and I don't leave frustrated because I gave my best. I won't manage a national team again. I can't only have the players every two months. It's not for me."

It was initially thought Matosas would take charge of Friday's friendly, however, interim boss Douglas Sequeira oversaw proceedings.

Borges' stunning free-kick three minutes into the second half gave Costa Rica something to celebrate after De Arrascaeta had converted a penalty three minutes prior to the interval.

However, Sequeira watched Costa Rica crash to their third consecutive defeat following Rodriguez's powerful low strike at the death.

Guillermo Ochoa made the decisive save to earn Mexico a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Costa Rica following a 1-1 draw in their 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal on Saturday night at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

With El Tricolor leading 5-4 in the shootout, the veteran stopper dived to his right to save Keysher Fuller’s attempt, sending Mexico to the Gold Cup semifinals.

It was not until the 44’ that Mexico had a good look at goal and Raul Jimenez did not waste the chance, as he collected a Rodolfo Pizarro pass and finished past Costa Rica GK Leonel Moreira for a 1-0 lead.

The Ticos looked to strike right back at the beginning of the second stanza and after a foul on Joel Campbell in the area, Bryan Ruiz coolly converted the spot kick to bring Costa Rica level 1-1.

Things stood on a knife’s edge entering the final half-hour and Mexico looked set to take a late lead, only for Carlos Rodriguez to hit the crossbar in the 86’.

In extra time, the Ticos had the best chance through Jonathan McDonald, but Ochoa was alert and made the save.

Things had to be settled in penalty kicks, and ultimately Mexico emerged victorious, as Carlos Salcedo converted the fifth and final penalty before Ochoa’s save on Fuller.

Gerardo Martino criticised the absence of VAR from the Gold Cup after a "bad" refereeing performance almost cost Mexico in their nervy quarter-final win over Costa Rica.

El Tri squeezed into the final four thanks in large part to goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who made a brilliant save deep into extra time and crucially denied Keysher Fuller in the subsequent penalty shoot-out.

The favourites might have avoided the fright had Panamanian match official John Pitti not awarded Costa Rica a second-half spot-kick for a seemingly fair Luis Rodriguez challenge on Joel Campbell that appeared to occur outside the box.

Bryan Ruiz converted to cancel out Raul Jimenez's opener and the additional 30 minutes proved costly for Mexico as head coach Martino was shown a yellow card for remonstrating with the fourth official, his second of the tournament prompting a touchline ban for the semi-final date with unheralded Haiti.

"The refereeing was bad," Martino said.

"It's impossible, with the technology that exists today and with VAR in Mexico and with VAR in the United States, that this tournament be played without VAR.

"I'm out of the next game and this referee could officiate the final of the tournament.

"I don't think it's fair that a referee from Panama, who [are still in the tournament], leads this game."

Mexico are now two wins away from reclaiming the Gold Cup crown they conceded to the United States four years ago and Martino is confident his squad will be fresh enough for the clash with Haiti, who came from two goals down to knock out Canada.

"I'm very happy with what we have done," the Argentine said.

"The medical team told me there are issues with cramps due to the 120 minutes the players had to run.

"We have three days until the semi-final with a trip in between, but I think it will be possible to play on Wednesday without problem."

However, Bryan Ruiz's controversial second-half penalty drew Costa Rica level and a shoot-out followed despite chances for both sides.

Guillermo Ochoa made a brilliant save late in extra time and again in the shoot-out, denying Keysher Fuller to claim a 5-4 success.

Despite a lively start by both teams, there were few chances at either end until Costa Rica threatened just after the half-hour mark.

Celso Borges stepped up to curl a 25-yard free-kick just wide, before the midfielder later hit the post, although the move was flagged offside anyway.

Instead, Mexico took the lead just before half-time through Jimenez.

Jimenez's initial strike after a Rodolfo Pizarro cross from the left was blocked, but he produced a composed finish from inside the area to make it 1-0.

Costa Rica found a way back into the game early in the second half after a controversial penalty decision.

Luis Rodriguez was ruled to have brought down Joel Campbell, who was about to shoot, although replays showed he got the ball and any contact appeared to occur just outside the area.

Still, Ruiz made the most of the chance from the penalty spot, converting to bring Costa Rica level.

That seemed to bring Mexico back to life as Jimenez forced a fine save from Leonel Moreira before also shooting wide in the 62nd minute.

In what was an end-to-end finish to the 90 minutes, Mexico almost found a winner through substitute Carlos Rodriguez, who hit the crossbar from close range.

The chances continued in extra time, the best falling for Jonathan McDonald, whose powerful low strike was well saved by Ochoa in the 108th minute.

Jimenez had a penalty saved to begin the shoot-out but Mexico recovered, Randall Leal missing the target before Ochoa superbly denied Fuller.

What does it mean? Mexico find a way, but only just

It looked like Martino's perfect record at the helm was coming to an end as Mexico fell behind in the shoot-out. However, after seven wins from as many games under Martino heading into their meeting with Costa Rica, Mexico found a way again.

Ochoa steps up at key moment

Mexico only got to penalties thanks to Ochoa, who did well to deny McDonald in extra time. The goalkeeper then delivered the key save in the shoot-out, diving to his right to deny Fuller.

Martino mistake for Mexico

They edged into the semi-finals, but Mexico will need to find a way without Martino in the last four. The coach picked up his second yellow card of the tournament during extra time and is suspended.

What's next?

Mexico will face surprise semi-finalists Haiti on Tuesday, while Costa Rica look ahead to a friendly against Uruguay in September.

Long-time rivals Mexico and Costa Rica are set to clash in the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals on Saturday night at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The contest marks the eighth meeting between the two teams in a Gold Cup, with Mexico leading the series with five wins and two draws.

Buoyed by FWs Raul Jimenez (3 goals) and Uriel Antuna (4), plus MF Andres Guardado (2), Mexico rolls into the knockout stage having posted its first perfect group stage record in a Gold Cup since 2011 with wins over Cuba, Canada and Martinique in Group A, in which El Tricolor scored 13 goals and conceded just three.

Costa Rica is no stranger to Mexico in the Gold Cup quarterfinals, as the two faced off four years ago in the 2015 edition, with Mexico winning 1-0 in the final minute of extra time courtesy of a Guardado penalty conversion.

Costa Rica will look for a different ending after a second-place finish in Group B with a 2W-0D-1L record.

Six different players have scored for the Ticos, with Elias Aguilar leading the way with two goals.

With so much history between the two sides, another Concacaf classic will surely be on the docket.

Costa Rica and Bermuda will meet on Thursday night at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas for their second game in Group B of the 2019 Gold Cup and their first ever Gold Cup match-up in history.

Costa Rica got the job done with a 4-0 win in its opening match against Nicaragua and currently sit atop the standings in Group B, while Bermuda is third following its 2-1 loss to Haiti.

Los Ticos will now look to repeat what it did in North Texas in the 2017 Gold Cup, when it won 3-0 against French Guiana.

Allan Cruz led the way with a goal and assist in the win vs. Nicaragua, while Elias Aguilar also chipped in a goal.

Bermuda, who played at a fast pace and enjoyed a lot of ball possession during the first half against Haiti, will be looking for its first win against Costa Rica.

Captain Dante Leverock had the lone goal with an assist from Osagi Bascome, proving that the Bermuda defense can be an attacking weapon.

Zeiko Lewis, who had three shots against Haiti, will be looking to add to his total of four goals in the last five games, but it will be Bermuda’s defense that will be the key to give Bermuda its first win in the 2019 Gold Cup.

Costa Rica’s attack led the way to a 4-0 victory over Nicaragua as it kicked off its participation in the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday night at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Costa Rica went ahead early on the scoreboard when just seven minutes into the match Bryan Oviedo poked it home to get a 1-0 lead.

With Costa Rica playing at home for the very first time in a Gold Cup match, Los Ticos captain Celso Borges doubled the side’s lead to 2-0 with a strong strike in the 19’.

Then Elias Aguilar found himself at the right place and the right time shortly before halftime, as he made it 3-0 in the 46’ when he found the back of the net with a free kick.

Nicaragua who had several opportunities during the first half, but was not able to finish its chances. It continued to push until the final minutes with its best look in the 72’ from Jorge Betancur’s right-footed shot from the right side, but it was blocked by Costa Rica GK Leonel Moreira.

As the final minutes played out, Costa Rica’s attack continued to push forward for one last goal. MF Allan Cruz scored his first of the night in the 75’ to put the 4-0 on the scoreboard, which marked an unforgettable night for Los Ticos.

For the first time, Costa Rica will play a match on home soil in the Concacaf Gold Cup, as it meets Nicaragua at Estadio Nacional on Sunday June 16 to open Group B play.

Although the teams have never met in the Gold Cup, Costa Rica leads the all-time series that dates back to 1941, with a 16W-1D-1L record.

Costa Rica, who is seeking its first Gold Cup title, has plenty of firepower in its attack and boasts five players who scored in Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Russia 2018: Marco Urena, Joel Campbell, Christian Bolanos, Johan Venegas and Kendall Waston. Those five combined for a total of 14 goals in 10 matches.

Costa Rica will certainly be aware of the expectations after finishing second in the Hexagonal stage of World Cup 2018 qualifying and reaching the Gold Cup quarterfinals 10 consecutive times.

Meanwhile, Nicaragua, who will be making its third Gold Cup appearance and its second in a row, will be led by veteran winger and captain Juan Barrera, who has 18 goals in 50 caps.

As it looks to have a better run in the 2019 Gold Cup, Nicaragua’s defensive end has more experience with Manuel Rosas on its side. The defender is key to the Pinolero defense, registering the most effective passes (161) in Concacaf National League Qualifying.

The United States will get a chance to exact revenge on Trinidad and Tobago at the Gold Cup after they were drawn together in a group that also features Panama and Guyana.

It was a 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago in October 2017, coupled with Panama's dramatic win over Costa Rica, that meant the USA failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup - the first time they had missed the tournament since 1986.

At this year's Gold Cup, defending champions the USA will face Trinidad and Tobago and Panama in Group D, as well as Guyana, who qualified for their first major tournament last month.

Mexico will face Canada, Martinique and Cuba in Group A, while Costa Rica will meet Haiti, Nicaragua and Bermuda in Group B, and Honduras will have encounters with Jamaica, El Salvador and Curacao in Group C.

The tournament, expanded to 16 teams from 12, begins on June 15 and most of the fixtures will take place in the USA, though double-headers will be staged in Costa Rica and Jamaica.